Day Six in Nagoya. No new kyujo to report but please check out Justin’s sumo experience with former Makuuchi wrestler, Kyokutaisei. There is so much sumo content and so many sumo shows nowadays, it’s great to see these options. Konishiki’s Sumo and Sushi tour is coming back and there’s even a new group in London, featuring Hidenoumi and Shiden. Sumo’s going global, which is great because tickets are getting more and more difficult to acquire.
Speaking of going global, Abema’s sneaking out more and more content to the public, too. Abema’s pinned Twitter post is this quiz question. On the Banzuke, what does this “御免蒙” say? YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW THE ANSWER. IT IS B. ごめんこうむる。The Anatomy of a Banzuke post explains it.
The Sumo Kyokai’s website has these great quiz questions and it was featured on that, as well. I’ve got a direct link to it on the right-hand navigation, under the link to the Konishiki pages, in case you need to find it again. Anyway, when I saw the quiz question, I just about jumped out of my chair because I was like, “I learned about that!!”
ABEMA大相撲センター試験🖊
— ABEMA大相撲 (@abema_sumo) July 17, 2026
プレゼントキャンペーン🎁【六日目】
今日は一意関サイン入り色紙を1名様に✨
【応募条件】
1️⃣ @ABEMA と @abema_sumo をフォロー
2️⃣ クイズの答えを記載して引用投稿
（回答はアルファベットのみも可）
※〆切 7/17(金) 17:45まで
Back to the tournament at hand. Asahifuji encountered some resistance from Fujisodai, so he threw him down in the middle of the ring and remains undefeated at 3-0. He has off tomorrow and will presumably go for kachi-koshi on Nakabi. Will anything put a stop to Isegahama’s protege? Makushita debutant Kaida lost to Aratakayama and fell to 1-2. Tanji defeated Nishikigi and improves to 3-1. One more win and he can claim his ticket to Juryo.
Shirokuma and Arashifuji won their bouts in Juryo and improved to 6-0. Enho (2-4) lost to Kagayaki (3-3). Asasuiryu and Shonannoumi chase at 5-1.
Makuuchi Action
Onokatsu (1-5) defeated Kazuma (2-4). Onokatsu got his left hand inside grip and kept pressing forward, very patiently, and very slowly driving Kazuma toward the edge. After a long struggle, he finally worked Kazuma over the edge. Yorikiri.
Kinbozan (4-2) defeated Dewanoryu (3-3). Kinbozan quickly charged straight through Dewanoryu and forced him over the edge. Yorikiri.
Shishi (6-0) defeated Asakoryu (2-4). Shishi calmly and patient pressed Asakoryu back to the edge. Asakoryu’s foot slipped as he tried to brace against the straw bales, he stepped out and went down. Oshidashi.
Nishikifuji (5-1) defeated Daiseizan (2-4). Daiseizan tried to turn the tables on Nishikifuji but Nishikifuji wasn’t having any of it and dropped Daiseizan over the ledge. Yoritaoshi.
Takerufuji (5-1) defeated Asahakuryu (2-4). Asahakuryu tried to pull on Takerufuji’s right arm but Takerufuji drove Asahakuryu back and out before losing his balance at the edge. Yorikiri.
Asanoyama (4-2) defeated Abi (3-3). Asanoyama pressed his way inside Abi’s tsuppari and forced Abi over the edge. Yorikiri.
Fujiryoga (4-2) defeated Wakanosho (5-1). Fujiryoga and Wakanosho traded tsuppari in quite the brawl. Fujiryoga’s slaps forced Wakanosho back to the edge. Wakanosho’s knee or Ankle buckled as he braced in the straw bales. He could not stand back up under his own power and to get assistance from the team of wakaimonogashira to climb into the big wheelchair. Really sad turn of events for a guy who had been having a great tournament so far. Oshitaoshi.
Tobizaru defeated Mitakeumi. Tobizaru got both hands inside and steadily forced Mitakeumi back to the edge. At the edge he used gaburi hip thrusts to force Mitakeumi over the bales. Mitakeumi does not look long for this division. Yorikiri.
Chiyoshoma (2-4) defeated Roga (2-4). Henka! Chiyoshoma leapt to the side and slapped Roga down. Tsukiotoshi.
Shodai (3-3) defeated Wakamotoharu (2-4). You can sense Wakamotoharu’s displeasure at having to “move forward!!” against Shodai, so he pivoted and pulled, trying to slap Shodai down. Shodai stayed on his feet long enough to see Wakamotoharu back out over the bales first. At first, I was struck by how this was a “first half” match-up. After the event, I am not surprised. Oshidashi.
Kotoeiho (5-1) defeated Ura (1-5). Kotoeiho grabbed Ura’s left arm and dragged him over the bales. Kotenage.
Halftime
Takayasu (5-1) defeated Oshoma (1-5). In the most anti-climatic ending to a bout — ever — Oshoma withstood Takayasu’s tsuppari but fell out to a wee shift and a slap. I got a collective, “WTF?” vibe from the crowd’s reaction. Like, “¿Qué?” Let’s move on. Tsukiotoshi.
Fujiseiun (3-3) defeated Ichiyamamoto (3-3). Fujiseiun stuck with Ichiyamamoto’s tsuppari long enough for Ichiyamamoto to transition into his pulling phase. When Ichiyamamoto pulled, Fujiseiun drove forward and forced him back and out. Oshidashi.
Daieisho (5-1) defeated Churanoumi (1-5). Daieisho got Churanoumi off-balance with some misdirection and quickly followed up with a shove from behind. Okuridashi.
Sanyaku
Takanosho (2-4) defeated Kotoshoho (3-3). Takanosho forced Kotoshoho back to the edge and then slapped him down as Kotoshoho dug in at the bales. Tsukiotoshi.
Atamifuji (4-2) defeated Fujinokawa (3-3). After an initial matta, I got the sense Fujinokawa jumped the gun early. But Atamifuji still had the wherewithall to avoid Fujinokawa’s misdirection and kept him centered as Fujinokawa cycled around the ring. Atamifuji cornered him at the bales (yeah, this ring has corners, okay?) and shoved him out. Oshidashi.
Aonishiki (5-1) defeated Oho (1-5). Aonishiki used his left hand inside and pulled Oho forward suddenly. Somehow, Oho was the one who seemed to be walking gingerly back up the hanamichi. One thing’s for sure, Aonishiki’s ankle is still an issue. Shitatehineri.
Kirishima (5-1) defeated Yoshinofuji (3-3). Kirishima fought to keep Yoshinofuji’s hands off, drove forward and forced Yoshinofuji out. Oshidashi.
Gonoyama (2-4) defeated Kotozakura (3-3). Kotozakura braced against the bales like he was going to try some counter attack but forgot how to counter attack. Gonoyama just kept shoving. Oshidashi.
Hakunofuji (5-1) defeated Hoshoryu (4-2). Hoshoryu did not care that Hakunofuji locked in with both hands inside. Perhaps he should have. After a wild tussle, Hoshoryu went for the trip and tried to heave Hakunofuji down but Hakunofuji freed his massive tree trunk legs and drove Hoshoryu into the ground. Hoshoryu appeared to land on his ass first but gunbai Hoshoryu. Mono-ii. Hoshoryu did, indeed, fall first. The call was overturned and Hakunofuji rightly given the win. We expect Inosuke’s resignation letter on Hakkaku’s desk in the morning, and for it to be quietly ripped up. Kinboshi! Kirikaeshi.
Onosato (3-3) defeated Hiradoumi (1-5). Onosato absorbed Hiradoumi’s lightning tachiai and then overpowered him. He remained calm as Hiradoumi resisted at the edge, got his left hand inside and forced Hiradoumi out. Yorikiri.
Wrap-Up
Shishi leads. It’s his yusho to lose at this point.
Turning to tomorrow’s action, Hoshoryu will face Hiradoumi and Onosato will take on Hakunofuji. Kirishima will fight Kotoshoho in a big match-up. Though, I think Kotozakura versus Atamifuji technically counts as a bigger match-up since both guys break the scales. Aonishiki will fight Fujinokawa, Yoshinofuji will fight Takanosho, and Oho will try to regroup against Gonoyama.
Down in the rank-and-file, Shodai will face Takayasu and probably run away. And Asanoyama will take on Mitakeumi as the shadows of four former Ozeki collide. Shishi will also get a real test in his bout against Nishikifuji. Nishikifuji has been in fine form this tournament and looking healthy.
I’ll also keep my eyes out for news about Wakanosho but I’m expecting at least a few days of kyujo. Ankles are funny, though. I’ve twisted mine and been unable to walk…then fine after a little rest. His ankle was already taped, though, so I’m not as optimistic that he’ll just walk this one off.
I’ll be back mañana.
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Could it be U nodded off during the Kotoeiho bout. There was a beautiful throw at the edge, so much more than just a dragging over the bales. Another great fight by the younger Tebakari brother.
Thanks Herbern for bringing this one up. I watched the replay of this one at least 10 times, and saw as Ura was flipping/ being flipped, that the arm of Kotoeiho that wasn’t clutching Ura had touched down first? I was surprised no mono-ii…. What did others see?
That’s what I saw, too. I thought Ura had an escape there. But then there were no more replays and I had to move on to the next bout. Sometimes I feel like Ura’s acrobatics are like Onosato’s flight from the other day, self-defeating.
I‘m a little bit biased towards Kotoeiho, who seemed very sympathetic, intelligent and humble in an interview for the NHK preview to Natsu, but still I also rather expected a mono-ii.
I saw Ura looking at the gyoji while he was still lying on the ground. Then another look at shimpan after the bows. At least Ura thought there should be mono-ii at last. Kotoeiho clearly touched the clay first, but that dead body rule and all…
Thanks guys for you impressions, I feared the vexing dead body rule would be in play here….which I don’t like as seems to be applied inconsistently…. I feel for Ura’s loss, and that title deserved a shimpan discussion and then explanation at minimum…
Typo correction… title should read as “it”
Yes, I watched it in slo-mo a few times, and Ura was definitely robbed, Kotoeiho’s arm hit first, and it wasn’t even that close. I don’t think the dead body comes into play here either, neither of there bodies we really alive at that point…
Asahifuji will meet the 19-year-old Ryuho tomorrow, who weighs 156 kg and who has won 32 of 38 bouts since he debuted in September last year. According to hochiyama he was „only the fourth freshman ever to reach the final (at the National High School Inter‑High), the most recent precedent being Ōnosato“. Definitely not a walk over, then.
I’ve nothing in particular so I’ll use this space to once again say how much I appreciate this website. Everything here is splendid. Bet I’m not the only Sumo fan who figures each days events aren’t folded and sealed with wax until I visit Tachiai.
Thank you!
Very true. Im watching live on youtube, but half an hour later, Im checking tachiai.org. Did I see the bouts right? Was there something I didnt notice? Any interesting notes from lower divisions? All here :-)
Oshoma lost today for two reasons: 1) Takayasu caught him at the right angle to completely break his leverage. 2) Breaking the leverage was easy because Takayasu’s slap caught him right on the ear and Oshoma got his bell rung. Flash knockouts are definitely harder to track in sumo, but I’m betting that’s what happened.
Kirishima sure did want to tell Yoshinofuji that the dohyo was his house and to get the heck outta there.
I kinda feel like Hoshoryu is attempting to do the “I’m going to beat you while you’re doing your best sumo” strategy that Hakuho used to do. The difference is that Hoshoryu doesn’t have that large of a skill gap between himself and his opponents.
God, I loved that about Hakuho. Hakunofuji also has massive damn legs. Trying to trip him seems madness, to me anyway.
For a fight that didn’t look all that extreme, it was really concerning to see both Oho and Aonishiki moving gingerly afterwards. Aonishiki is clearly still hurting. He managed another win, but getting the 10 he needs to return to Ozeki seems a big ask at this point even with the good start. I’m still rooting big for that to happen!
And go Papa Bear!!!!! I’m still holding on to the very faint hope my other favorite wrestler gets his first yusho. Even more unlikely than Aonishiki getting back to Ozeki, but I can dream, can’t I?
Yeah, it didn’t look to me that Aonishiki did anything in particular – Oho just seemed to collapse down onto him. Oho’s exit from the dohyo made Chiyoshoma’s look electric, so maybe a back spasm or something. That ankle of Aonishiki’s isn’t going to get much of a break with Fujinokawa up next – perhaps time for a henka!
In Wakamotoharu bout I did not see any offensive action from Shodai, it was like Wakamotoharu defeated himself.
Also, it was a bad idea to pull when he was in good position, pushing Shodai back, may be as you said, he was disappointed to move forward against Shodai 😂
Hakunofuji bout was very good. It’s not easy to defend against powerful thrust of Shodai.
Takayasu’s highlight reel of winning “moves” this tournament is fun!
And Andy was correct yesterday – Kotozakura lost to himself and Gonoyama
Some excellent matches today .. with great expectations going in ..
Watching Shishi trying to keep his head below Asakoryu’s head was a treat .. he seems committed to this style + it’s working against lower level megashiras ..
A number of young rikishi are looking healthy + having a good start to the basho .. looking forward to their progress against higher ranked wrestlers ..
Hoshoryu has lots of ways to lose matches he never should .. usually because he does not commit to an aggressive tachiai + first move .. perhaps he was working on his “rope a dope” strategy .. “two hands inside on the belt?” .. “no problem, watch this” .. or maybe it’s his “hold my beer” strategy .. must be maddening to his coaches .. still his skill set is impressive .. although Aonishiki seems to have his number ..
It looked like Wakanosho’s heel placement against the tawara locked his leg in a weird position and there was quite a bit of torsion force on his knee. I hope he didn’t tear his MCL.
Funnily enough Murray Johnson was sure there had been a concussion!
Murray had me convinced. Really though, a concussion could easily cause a wrestler to remain motionless, staring at the clay, just as could evidently a knee that was saying, “If you move me I will hurt you.”
I watched the highlights show and Wakanosho’s jaw looked a bit swollen too. I hope he’s OK. Hah, when will they start putting Shishi against the top ranks? Sunday? or is that just too soon?
Both Yokozuna are not exactly covering themselves in glory are they ? I worry about Hosh’s career longevity.
Yep, devobodine, Tachiai is one of my three daily sumo pillars. Tachiai, Grand Sumo matches info., and NHK.
Top ranks? Like joi-sanyaku? I think it’s too soon but we shall see. I think after Nakabi from what my queries are showing on SumoDB. I don’t think he would face sanyaku until Day 10 but they can have him face M7 or something earlier.
This site + comments seldom fails to come up w observations about matches that I missed .. or over looked .. eg Ura flat on his back looking at the various judges to see who saw what .. btw .. he must have Gumby knees to survive that takedown.
How many ‚gunbai sashichigae!‘ should a chief gyoji earn in a year? Natsu basho for Kirishima, now for Hakunofuji! Today, for compensation he ruled Hiradoumi a matta twice. I don‘t believe it would change his style of early jumping, but OK as a proof of serious work…
Stop the count, I’ve seen enough, Shishi yusho.
Maybe Onosato accidentally absorbed too much of Hoshoryu’s lock in factor. Or Hosh handed too much over like a street vendor hot dog.